Fluid-mixing apparatus



C. H. SANFORD.

FLUID MIXING APPARATUS.

APPLICAIIQNfILEu APR. 18, 1919.

A 1,338,592. I I Y Patented Apr. 1920.

Egg 5,

SH01/M m ough commingling of the gas and water- UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

CROCKER H. SANFORD, or BALTIMORE, l MARYLAND, AssIGNoR, EY 'DIRECT A Nn MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, To THE OLD DOMINION s-PEcIALTY co., INC., OE BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION or MARYLAND.

FLUID-MIXING APPARATUS.

Application led April 18,

To all ywhom t may concern:

Be it known that l, CROOKER H'. SANFORD, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fluid-Mixing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My .present in-ve'ntion pertains to the comprovision of an apparatus of such character that Water and gas under pressure are thoroughly commingled by reason of their pressures when the eduction orifice of the apparatus is opened. l

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus designed especially for charging or commingling -water with carbonio acid gas; the said apparatus being especially designed to form part of a soda water dispensing system and being characterized by such provisions that thorf z'. e., the impregnation of the Water with gas, is brought about as a sequence tothe openving of the outlet spigot of the system.

, 'Another obj ect is to provide an apparatus for the purpose stated in which provision is made for effectually preventing the water in the house pipe with ,which the apparatus is connected from being carbonated, this in order to preclude the ordinary water supply to the several spigots of .a house from being changed 'in character or otherwise affected by reason of my apparatus being 'connected with the water system ot` the house.

To the attainment of the foregoing the invention consists, firstin my novel appara-- tus, second-1n the peculiar and advanta-` geous differential valve comprised in the apparatus, and third-in the simple and advantageous non-return means for preventing the gas from affecting the Water contained in the pipe system of a house, as here- .inafter described and definitely pointed out in my appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which are hereby made part hereof Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view, dia grammatic 1n character, and Illustrating the Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Apiz'?, 1920.

1919.' serial No. 291,078. 1

posedbetween a source of carbonated water supply and a spigot.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken through the mixing or commingling unit of the apparatus in the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking downwardly.

Fig. 3 is avertical'se'ction taken in the plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. l

vand showing the minute character of the' openings in the annular walls of the mixer whereby the water and gas are retarded and are j etted while en route through the mixer capacity of the mixer. vSimilar numerals of" reference designate corresponding parts in allI of the views of the drawings. My novelapparatus is designed more especially for use in conjunction with a pipe 1 designed to lead from a source of carbonio acid gas supply, a pipe 2 designed to lead from a street-main or other'source of water supply, a spigot 3 which may forni part ot a l, soda water'A fountain anda refrigerating coil 4 interposed betweenthe eduction orifice 5 of the apparatus and the spigot 3. It will be understood, of course, that the coil 4 is not of my invention and that the spigot or any, other closure means may be connected ,directly to the apparatus to control the oritice 5 without in any way affecting my invention. I

` iimongother elementsA my novel apparatus comprises adifferential Valve 6 the casing ot which is connected to the pipe 1, a mixer 7 the casing of which is connected to the'pipe 2, a non-return Valve 8 controlling communication between the pipe 2 and the mixer 7, a vpipe or, conduit 9 hereinafter ref ferred to as the discharge pipe, leading from the casiiig of the mixer 7 to the eduction oriice of the apparatus, a pipe 10 interposed between the casing of the diiferential valve ,A thereof.

By comparison of Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the mixer 7 will be understood'as comprising with a view to increasinglthe commingling.

a casing 14, a central nozzle 15 in said casing and having a reduced orlfic'e 16, a partition 17 surrounding said nozzle, ayprefer-A ably concavo-convex baille 18 opposed to and spaced from said orifice and having its edge ,closely arranged to the partition 17 so-as to afford between the two an infinitesimal passagelf), three more or less annular spaced walls 20 surrounding the baffle and each having one or more minute apertures or passages 2l, and an annular wall 22 depending from the marginal edge of the partition 17 and having one or more minute apertures 23. The depending annular wall 22 is by preference a continuation of the wall 20 as shown, and an annular space 24 is formed between the said wall-20-22 and the adjacent portion of the casing wall. The mixer as its name imports is designed to bring about thorough commingling of the water and gas or thorough impregnation of the former with the latter, and when it is remembered that the water and gas enter the lower end of the nozzle 15 together, the efficiency of' the mixer will be readily appreciated when it is stated that the column of` water and gas is contracted by the orifice 16 and jetted against and spread over the concave surface of the baffle 18 which contributes materially to the commingling action. The water and gas are then carried in the form of a thin film outwardly through the space 19 which 4contributes to the commingling action after which the water and gas, are carried in la ltortuous manner through the apertures of the annular walls and between said walls and then through the annular space 24 and the apertures 23 into the chamber of the mixer that communicates with the discharge pipe 9. A

Incidental to the lateral movementsl f the water and gas in the mixer .it will be noted that the same will first be jetted through the apertures 21 of the inner wall 2O against Ithe imperf'orate portion of the intermediate wall '20, then after passing downwardly` will be j etted through the apertures 21 o f the intermediate wall 20 agamst the outer-wall 20, then after passing .up-

wardly between the intermediate vand outer walls 20 will be j etted through the apertures 2l of the latter against the casing wall, and

then after passing downwardly in the space 24 will bel discharged through the apertures` .23 into the discharge chamber of themixer.

I n this way the water and gas will be carried 1n a tortuousmanner through the mixer and incidental to such Vpassage will be considerably retarded in the presence of each other and will be thrown violently vagainst abutments with the result that when the water and gas reach the discharge chamber of the mixer they will -be commingled or mixed to a highdegree of intimacy.

In. the preferred embodiment ofvmyincured in sard basing as shown.

vention the casing of the differential valve 6 is made up of a lower section 30, an upper section 31 and a joining annulus 32 which is threaded into the section 31 andis flanged at 33 to engage a complementary flange 34 on the section 30, this mode of connection being advantageous inasmuch as it permits of one of the sections being adjusted relativel to the other by simply turning the annulus 32 through the medium of a Spanner or any other suitable device for which the annulus is fitted. In addition tothe casing in the lower portion of which is a Valve seat 35, the differential valve comprises an .section 31, Fig. l, upward movement of said diaphragm is thereby limited. It will be readily understood that when the eduction orifice 5`of the apparatus is open and the pressure above the diaphragm y36 releasedthe pressure of gas against the diaphragm 37 will promptly unseat the valve 38 so as to permit vthe passage of the gas `to the mixer 7. When, however," the eduction orifice 5 of. the apparatus is closed the pressure above the diaphragm 36 will overcome the stronger pressure below the diaphragmv 37 by reason of the difference in size of the diaphragms with the result that the valve 38 will be promptly and effectually closed, and the gas cut ofl'l from the'mixer.

In the present and preferred embodiment of my :invention the diaphragm 37 is secured 1n .position by being interposed between' the valve casin and a threaded annulus se- 'Interposed between the induction' orifice` of the mixer? andthe source of Wfter supply "is a non-return ,valve 8 arrangedto''seatf in a direction awayfrom the mixer. yBy.

;virtueof this provision the important purpose-is attained'aofV preventing any of the carbonated water moving to the water supply plpe and affecting the character of the -watericonducted inwthe several pipes of a house or building. ,i

` The general operation ofv my novel appal'l'.'

ratus is as follows: y v

When the eduction orifice 5 is open,`the predominatlng-'. pressure above the dia.-v phragm=36 ofthe differential Valve is re-J duced, whereupon the gas unseat's the' valve 38 and is' supplied when thevalve -12 is open to the water enteri Vthe mixer through the induction orifice t 'erect Frein the said induction orifice the Water and gas are conducted through the mixer, being thoroughly commingled ea route, and from the mixer'the Water and gas'are carried through the pipe 9 to the point of use.

The practical advantage of the differential valve 6 Will be appreciated when it is stated that promptly upon closing of the eduction orifice 5 of the apparatus, the pressure above the diaphragm 36 will operate to promptly close the valve 38- and cut off the supply of gas, and this notwithstanding the pressure of the gas below the diaphragm 37 may be greater than the pressure above the diaphragm 36. j

lVhile I prefer for obvious reasons,to employ a mixer such as shown and explicitly 1 described as part of my novel apparatus, I

do not desire to be understood as confining myself to the said specific mixer, inasmuch as a mixer of any other suitable description may be employed without departure from the scope of my appended claims.

19. 1918, Serial No. 245,710. i

The mixing element per se is not/claimed herein, inasmuch as it constitutes th/subject oi my contemporary application filed July Having described my :inventioii/ what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is LA Water and gas commingling apparatus, comprising a valve casing adapted for connection with a source of gas supply, and comprising diaphragm means and a valve body, a mixer adapted for connection with a source of Water supply, a conduit connected with the valve casing at the opposite side and gas-comprising a mixing element, a

valve casing adapted forconnection With a source of gas supply and lcomprising dia.

phragm' means and a -valve body, a conduit connected with lthe mixer and also connected with the Avalve casing, at the opposite side of the diaphragm means to the gas inlet, and having a normally closed eduction orifice and means forclosing the same, aconduit intermediate the valve casing and the Waiter inlet of the mixing element and means for controlling said conduit.

3. An apparatus for commingling Water and gas comprising a valve casing adapted for connection with a source'of gas supply and comprising diaphragm means and a valve body7 conduit means adapted .for connection with a source ofwater supply and connected'with the valve casing at the opposite sideof -the diaphragm means to .the

gas inlet and having an eduction orifice 4and means for .controlling the same, and a conduit intermediate the valve casing, at the gas side of the diaphragm means', and the 'said conduit means. f

et. An apparatus for commingling water and gas comprising a valv'e casing adapted for connection with a source of gas lsupply and comprising diaphragm means and a valve body, conduit means adapted for connectionwith a source of Water supply and connected Withvthe valve casing, atthe opposite side of the diaphragm means to the gas connection and having beyond the valve for connection with a source of gas supply and comprising a valve body and means constructed and arranged to enable a lesser pressure at the opposite side of the valve' casing to .the valve bodyto seat the valve' body against the greater gas pressure, conduit means adapted for connection with a source of Water supply and connected with the valve casing at they last named side thereof and havingv an eduction orifice, and a conduit intermediate the gas sidev of the valve ,casing'and the said conduit means.

6. An apparatus for commingling vWater and gas comprising a valve casing adapted for connection with a source ofgas supply and comprising a valve body and means constructed and arranged to enable a lesser pressure at theopposite side of Athe'valveA casing to the valve body to seat the valve body against the greater gas pressure, conduit means adapted for connection with a source of Water supply and connected with the valve casing at the last named side thereof and `having an eduction orifice, a conduit ,intermediate the gas side of the valve casing and said conduit means, and means for controlling said conduit.

7. An apparatus for commingling Water fand gas comprising a valve casing adapted for connection with a source of gas supply and` comprising a valve body and means constructed and arranged to enable a lesser pressure at the opposite side of the valve casing to the valve body to seat the valve lbody against the greater gas pressure, conduitv means adapted for connection with a source of Water supply and connected with the -valve casing at the last named side thereof and having an eduction orifice, a

conduit intermediate the gas side of the valve casing and said conduit means,- and means for controlling said conduit.

8. An apparatus for commingling Water and gas, comprising a mixer vconstituting part oi' conduit means and adapted for connection with a source of water supply, a valve casing adapted for connection with a source of gas .supply and coii'iprising a valve body and differential -means connected therewith, a ronduit forming part of said conduit means and connected to the inixer and to the valve casing at the opposite side of the differential means to the valve body and having an eduction orifice beyond the valve casing and means 'for controlling said orifice, and avconduit intermediate the gas side of the valve casing and the mixer.

9. An apparatus for commingling water and gas, comprising a valve casing adapted i'or connection with a source of gas supply and comprising a valve body and differential means connected therewith, conduit means adapted for connection with a source ot water supply and connected with the valve casingfat the opposite'side of the differential means to the gas inlet and having an eduction orifice beyond the valve casing and means for controlling said' orilice, a conduit intermediate the gas side of the valve casing and the conduit means, and non-return means in the conduit means at a point between the source of water supply and the point at which gas is let into the water.

10. An apparatus for commingling water and gas, comprising a valve casing adapted for connection with a source of gas supply, and comprising a valve body and diaphragm means connected therewith, conduit means adaptedA for connection with a source ofwatersupply and connected with the valve casing at the opposite side thereof to the gas inlet and having beyond the -valve casing an eduction orifice and means for conl trolling the same, non-return means inthe conduit means and arranged to open away from the source of 'water supply, and av conduit between the gas side of the valve casing and the conduit means at the opposite side/'of the 'non-return means, with referenceV tothe source ofwater sup 1y.

11. An apparatus for comming ingv water and gas, comprising a valve casing adapted 50 for connection with a source of gas supply and comprising a valve body' and di'l'erential diaphragms connected therewith, the smaller diaphragm being adjacent the gas inlet, a mixer, aconduit leading from the mixer and connected with the opposite side of the valve casing to the gas inlet,` means for supplying water to the mixer,l and a suitably controlled conduit intermediate the gas side of the valve casing andthe mixer.

and gas, comprising a valve casing adapted for connection with a source of gas supply and comprising a valve bodyk and dili'erential diaphragms connected therewith, the smaller diaphragm being adjacent thefgas inlet, a mixer, `a conduit leading from the mixer and connected with the opposite side of the valve casing to the gas inlet, means for supplying water to the mixer, a suitably controlled conduit intermediate the gas side of the valve casing and the mixer, and non-return means intermediate kthe mixer and the source of water supply.

13. A water and gas commingling appaA` ratus, comprising ay differential valve adapted for connection with a source of gas supply, conduit means adapted for connection with a source of water: supply and connected with the valve, atthe opposite side of the differential means thereof to the gas inlet, and having an eduction orifice, and a conduit intermediate the gas outlet side of the valve vand the conduitmeans.

14. A water and gas comminglingl appa'- ratus, comprising a differential valve adapted for connection with a source of gas supply, conduit means adapted for connection with a source of watersupply'and connected with the'valVe,-at the opposite side of the differential means thereof'to the gas inlet, and having yan eduction orifice, a conduit intei'mediate the/ gas 7outlet side of the valve andthe conduit means, and imeans for controlling said conduit. y

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

- A cRooKER H. SANFORD.

l 6o 12. An apparatus for commingling Water I 

